US4580628A - Blowout preventer stacks and method of tensioning stack tie rods - Google Patents

Blowout preventer stacks and method of tensioning stack tie rods Download PDF

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Publication number
US4580628A
US4580628A US06/601,860 US60186084A US4580628A US 4580628 A US4580628 A US 4580628A US 60186084 A US60186084 A US 60186084A US 4580628 A US4580628 A US 4580628A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
tie rods
stack
blowout preventer
securing
tie
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US06/601,860
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English (en)
Inventor
Gary R. Schaeper
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Cooper Industries LLC
Original Assignee
Cameron Iron Works Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Cameron Iron Works Inc filed Critical Cameron Iron Works Inc
Assigned to CAMERON IRON WORKS, INC., HOUSTON, TX A TX CORP. reassignment CAMERON IRON WORKS, INC., HOUSTON, TX A TX CORP. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: SCHAEPER, GARY R.
Priority to US06/601,860 priority Critical patent/US4580628A/en
Priority to EP85301987A priority patent/EP0159813A3/en
Priority to CA000477607A priority patent/CA1231641A/en
Priority to MX204850A priority patent/MX162002A/es
Priority to NO851551A priority patent/NO851551L/no
Priority to FI851545A priority patent/FI851545L/fi
Priority to JP60084358A priority patent/JPS60233289A/ja
Publication of US4580628A publication Critical patent/US4580628A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Assigned to COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC., AN OH CORP. reassignment COOPER INDUSTRIES, INC., AN OH CORP. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: CAMERON IRON WORKS USA, INC.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B29/00—Cutting or destroying pipes, packers, plugs or wire lines, located in boreholes or wells, e.g. cutting of damaged pipes, of windows; Deforming of pipes in boreholes or wells; Reconditioning of well casings while in the ground
    • E21B29/02—Cutting or destroying pipes, packers, plugs or wire lines, located in boreholes or wells, e.g. cutting of damaged pipes, of windows; Deforming of pipes in boreholes or wells; Reconditioning of well casings while in the ground by explosives or by thermal or chemical means
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
    • E21B33/02—Surface sealing or packing
    • E21B33/03—Well heads; Setting-up thereof
    • E21B33/06—Blow-out preventers, i.e. apparatus closing around a drill pipe, e.g. annular blow-out preventers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B2200/00—Constructional details of connections not covered for in other groups of this subclass
    • F16B2200/40—Clamping arrangements where clamping parts are received in recesses of elements to be connected
    • F16B2200/403—Threaded clamping parts

Definitions

  • blowout preventers In the drilling of oil and gas wells, such drilling takes place through blowout preventers (BOPs) to provide the necessary potential to control any substantial pressure and blowouts.
  • BOPs blowout preventers
  • a plurality of ram type blowouts preventers are stacked one above the other and are topped by an annular type blowout preventer.
  • annular type blowout preventer it has been the custom to provide each of the blowout preventers with upper and lower necks and flanges or clamp hubs for providing the sealed connection between each of the structures of the stack.
  • the height of the blowout preventer stack directly relates to the size and cost of the drilling rig, i.e., stacks of greater height require larger rigs and thus increase the cost of drilling.
  • the J. L. Biach U.S. Pat. No. 3,015,975 discloses a pressure responsive means for tensioning a bolt.
  • the nut is threaded on the bolt and the pressure responsive device is connected to the protruding end of the bolt above the nut.
  • the crank and gear arrangement rotates a wrench within the device to bring the nut into tight engagement with the surface to maintain the tension and after release of pressure the device is removed.
  • British Pat. No. 1,507,606 of 1978 and Russian Pat. No. 541,661 disclose pressure responsive devices for tensioning a series of studs with pressure being applied to establish the tension in the studs and then nuts are tightened to maintain such present tension.
  • the present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for use in drilling wells.
  • the apparatus includes a blowout preventer stack joined by tie rods and a test stump having means for engaging the lower ends of the tie rods and pressure responsive means to impart a force to tension the stack tie rods while the stack is supported on the test stump.
  • the method includes the step of positioning the stack on the test stump, installing the tie rods on the stack, connecting the test stump's engaging means to the lower ends of the tie rods, delivering a pressurized fluid to the stump's pressure responsive means to tension the tie rods, tightening the nuts on the tie rods, removing the pressurized fluid and disconnecting the test stump engaging means from the tie rods.
  • the improved stack includes a plurality of ram type blowout preventers, an annular blowout preventer, means for sealing between the bodies of the blowout preventers when they are assembled into a stack, a plurality of tie rods, means for securing the upper end of the tie rods to the annular blowout preventer and means through which the lower ends of the tie rods extend on the lower end of the preventer bodies and nuts on the lower end of the tie rods for maintaining preset tension in the tie rods.
  • This invention results in a substantially shorter BOP stack as compared to a BOP stack with conventional connecting means such as flanges or clamp hubs.
  • An example of reduction in height can be seen by considering a typical BOP stack of 183/4 inch 15,000 psi consisting of 4 ram type preventers, 1 annular type preventer, and a hydraulic collet connector on the bottom.
  • Such a stack with conventional connecting means would be approximately 320 inches tall, whereas using a BOP stack of the present invention would result in a height of only approximately 250 inches.
  • This reduction of 70 inches in stack height would allow many drilling rigs, that presently are using 135/8 inch BOP stacks due to height limitation, to change to 183/4 inch BOP stacks and thereby be able to drill many wells that they otherwise would not have been qualified to drill.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for use in drilling a well which allows the use of a shorter drilling structure.
  • Another object is to provide an improved method and apparatus of the type described which allows delivery of simple modular components of the blowout preventer stack until the stack is to be installed on the well.
  • a further object is to provide an improved method and apparatus which allows tensioning of the blowout preventer stack tie rods without appreciably increasing the height requirements of the drilling structure.
  • Still another object is to provide an improved method and apparatus which provides a quick, simple and accurate tensioning of the tie rods connecting a blowout preventer stack on an offshore drilling structure.
  • a still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved blowout preventer stack which is easily and quickly assembled at the rig and which has both a reduced height and does not require additional rig height over that necessary for its handling and installation.
  • FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the improved stack of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a plan view of the improved stack shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 to illustrate the means for securing the upper ends of the tie rods to the annular blowout preventer body.
  • FIG. 4 is an elevation view with portions omitted to illustrate the apparatus for tensioning of the tie rods of the stack.
  • test stump on the drilling rig on which a blowout preventer stack can be positioned for assembling and pressure testing the stack before it is lowered into position on the wellhead.
  • present invention provides an improved test stump which, in combination with the improved stack and its tie rods, provides the advantages desired, as hereinafter more fully explained.
  • the improved blowout preventer stack 10 of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1 includes upper annular blowout preventer 12 having body 13; a plurality of ram type blowout preventers 14 having bodies 15; remote connecting means 16, such as a collet connector, and tie rods 18 which secure the individual components together in tight sealed relationship. Suitable seal rings 19 are provided in grooves between each of the components' bodies to ensure such sealed relationship.
  • the tie rods 18 include means 20 for securing them to the lower portion of annular blowout preventer body 13 and extend downward past the sides of ram type blowout preventers 14, through upper flange 22 on connecting means 16 and are secured by nuts 24 threaded onto the portions of tie rods 18 which extend below flange 22.
  • Means 20 for securing the upper ends of tie rods 18 to annular blowout preventer 12, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, includes tie rod flanges 26 projecting outward from the upper end of tie rods 18 engaging in mating grooves 28 in the exterior of the lower portion of annular blowout preventer body 13 and in the mating grooves 30 on the interior of clamps 32.
  • Clamps 32 are secured to annular blowout preventer body 13 by studs 34, which extend into body 13, and by nuts 36 threaded on studs 34.
  • the size and interengagement of tie rod flanges 26 in grooves 28 and 30 are designed to provide sufficient structural integrity of securing means 20 to allow proper tensioning of tie rods 18.
  • stack 10 when stack 10 is to be assembled for installation, such assembly takes place on the drilling rig with connector 16 being placed on test stump 38 and the remaining components of stack 10 placed in their desired position thereon with seal rings 19 in the grooves between each component.
  • Tie rods 18 are then positioned through connector flange 22 with their flanges 26 positioned within grooves 28 of body 13 and grooves 30 of clamp 32 and secured with studs 34 and nuts 36.
  • Test stump 38 is usually firmly attached to the drilling rig structure and includes cylinders 40, one for each of the tie rods 18 with pistons 42 positioned therein and cap rings 44 secured to the upper surface of stump 38 in sealed relationship to piston rods 46 and stump 38.
  • Pistons 42 positioned within cylinders 40 are responsive to pressure in cylinders 40 above and below pistons 42. Ports 50 connect into cylinders 40 above pistons 42 and ports 52 connect into cylinders 40 below pistons 42.
  • Piston rods 46 have internal threads 47 to allow threading onto the lower ends 49 of tie rods 18.
  • Stump adaptor 54 is positioned on the upper central portion of stump 38 having its tubular projection 56 extending into central cavity 58 in stump 38 with seal ring 60 providing a seal therebetween.
  • Seal ring 62 provides a seal between connector 16 and stump adaptor 54.
  • Stump adaptor 54 is provided with a suitable exterior configuration to engage with the connecting mechanism of connector 16.
  • Port 64 extends into test stump 38 in communication with cavity 58 and the interior of tubular projection 56 of stump adaptor 54. Test pressure for pressure testing stack 10 is supplied through and released from port 64.
  • the pressure responsive means may be a central piston urging the stack upward with suitable tie rod anchors for securing the lower ends of the tie rods against movement.
  • the pistons 42 could be a single annular piston with a shaft connected to each tie rod. The preferred form shown has the advantage of ensuring that the preselected tie rod tension is applied to each tie rod and is not dependent upon the amount of threading of the shafts to the tie rods.

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  • Geology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Investigating Strength Of Materials By Application Of Mechanical Stress (AREA)
  • Load-Engaging Elements For Cranes (AREA)
  • Stacking Of Articles And Auxiliary Devices (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)
  • Hand Tools For Fitting Together And Separating, Or Other Hand Tools (AREA)
US06/601,860 1984-04-19 1984-04-19 Blowout preventer stacks and method of tensioning stack tie rods Expired - Fee Related US4580628A (en)

Priority Applications (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/601,860 US4580628A (en) 1984-04-19 1984-04-19 Blowout preventer stacks and method of tensioning stack tie rods
EP85301987A EP0159813A3 (en) 1984-04-19 1985-03-22 Blowout preventer stacks
CA000477607A CA1231641A (en) 1984-04-19 1985-03-27 Blowout preventer stacks and method of tensioning stack tie rods
MX204850A MX162002A (es) 1984-04-19 1985-04-03 Mejoras en pila de evitadores de explosion
NO851551A NO851551L (no) 1984-04-19 1985-04-18 Utblaasningssikringsstabler samt fremgangsmaate for strekking av stabel-strekkstenger
FI851545A FI851545L (fi) 1984-04-19 1985-04-18 Spaerrstapel mot utblaosning samt foerfarande foer aotspaenning av bindstaenger hos stapeln.
JP60084358A JPS60233289A (ja) 1984-04-19 1985-04-19 ブローアウト防止装置スタツク並びにスタツクのタイロツドに張力を与える方法

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/601,860 US4580628A (en) 1984-04-19 1984-04-19 Blowout preventer stacks and method of tensioning stack tie rods

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US4580628A true US4580628A (en) 1986-04-08

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US06/601,860 Expired - Fee Related US4580628A (en) 1984-04-19 1984-04-19 Blowout preventer stacks and method of tensioning stack tie rods

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US4580628A (es)
EP (1) EP0159813A3 (es)
JP (1) JPS60233289A (es)
CA (1) CA1231641A (es)
FI (1) FI851545L (es)
MX (1) MX162002A (es)
NO (1) NO851551L (es)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5435385A (en) * 1993-10-29 1995-07-25 Double-E, Inc. Integrated wellhead tubing string
US6494268B1 (en) * 2000-10-19 2002-12-17 Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. Transport and support frame for a bop assembly
US20050056432A1 (en) * 2003-09-16 2005-03-17 Holland William R. Compact mid-grip fastener
WO2012140178A1 (en) * 2011-04-14 2012-10-18 Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. Capping stack and method for controlling a wellbore
US20130341040A1 (en) * 2012-06-21 2013-12-26 Complete Production Services, Inc. Snubbing assemblies and methods for inserting and removing tubulars from a wellbore
AU2017261567B2 (en) * 2013-06-14 2018-12-20 Enovate Systems Limited Well bore control system
US11098550B2 (en) 2016-05-02 2021-08-24 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Blowout preventer with wide flange body
US20220049567A1 (en) * 2020-08-17 2022-02-17 Nexus Energy Technologies Inc. Bop stump test apparatus
CN116084877A (zh) * 2023-03-01 2023-05-09 中船黄埔文冲船舶有限公司 一种可升降重载支撑装置及防喷器组调整方法

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NO336114B1 (no) * 2011-02-16 2015-05-18 Aker Subsea As Testanordning for ventiltre og annet havbunns brønnutstyr

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2749078A (en) * 1951-06-26 1956-06-05 Guiberson Corp Well blowout preventer
US3015975A (en) * 1959-11-17 1962-01-09 Biach Ind Bolt-tensioning apparatus
US3391735A (en) * 1966-11-21 1968-07-09 Otis Eng Co Means for drilling, completing, producing and treating submarine wells
GB1152345A (en) * 1965-08-26 1969-05-14 Kloeckner Werke Ag Hydraulic Tensioning Head for Anchoring or Tie Bolts
US4007782A (en) * 1974-03-18 1977-02-15 Finn Tveten & Co. A/S Parking device for blowout preventer
US4246810A (en) * 1979-05-10 1981-01-27 Caterpillar Tractor Co. Tool for pre-tensioning a fastener
US4268011A (en) * 1979-06-22 1981-05-19 Cameron Iron Works, Inc. Stud tensioner for blowout preventer

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4030354A (en) * 1976-02-27 1977-06-21 Scott Kenneth F Testing of ram and annular blowout preventers
US4159637A (en) * 1977-12-05 1979-07-03 Baylor College Of Medicine Hydraulic test tool and method

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2749078A (en) * 1951-06-26 1956-06-05 Guiberson Corp Well blowout preventer
US3015975A (en) * 1959-11-17 1962-01-09 Biach Ind Bolt-tensioning apparatus
GB1152345A (en) * 1965-08-26 1969-05-14 Kloeckner Werke Ag Hydraulic Tensioning Head for Anchoring or Tie Bolts
US3391735A (en) * 1966-11-21 1968-07-09 Otis Eng Co Means for drilling, completing, producing and treating submarine wells
US4007782A (en) * 1974-03-18 1977-02-15 Finn Tveten & Co. A/S Parking device for blowout preventer
US4246810A (en) * 1979-05-10 1981-01-27 Caterpillar Tractor Co. Tool for pre-tensioning a fastener
US4268011A (en) * 1979-06-22 1981-05-19 Cameron Iron Works, Inc. Stud tensioner for blowout preventer

Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5435385A (en) * 1993-10-29 1995-07-25 Double-E, Inc. Integrated wellhead tubing string
US6494268B1 (en) * 2000-10-19 2002-12-17 Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. Transport and support frame for a bop assembly
US20050056432A1 (en) * 2003-09-16 2005-03-17 Holland William R. Compact mid-grip fastener
WO2005028804A3 (en) * 2003-09-16 2005-12-15 Hydril Company Pressure Contro Compact mid-grip fastener
US7011159B2 (en) * 2003-09-16 2006-03-14 Hydril Company, L.P. Compact mid-grip fastener
US9416797B2 (en) 2011-04-14 2016-08-16 Shell Oil Company Capping stack and method for controlling a wellbore
WO2012140178A1 (en) * 2011-04-14 2012-10-18 Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. Capping stack and method for controlling a wellbore
US20130341040A1 (en) * 2012-06-21 2013-12-26 Complete Production Services, Inc. Snubbing assemblies and methods for inserting and removing tubulars from a wellbore
US9097064B2 (en) * 2012-06-21 2015-08-04 Superior Energy Services—North America Services, Inc. Snubbing assemblies and methods for inserting and removing tubulars from a wellbore
AU2017261567B2 (en) * 2013-06-14 2018-12-20 Enovate Systems Limited Well bore control system
US10443336B2 (en) 2013-06-14 2019-10-15 Enovate Systems Limited Well bore control system
US10989010B2 (en) 2013-06-14 2021-04-27 Enovate Systems Limited Well bore control system
US11060373B2 (en) 2013-06-14 2021-07-13 Enovate Systems Limited Well bore control system
US11098550B2 (en) 2016-05-02 2021-08-24 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Blowout preventer with wide flange body
US11174696B2 (en) 2016-05-02 2021-11-16 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Blowout preventer with choke and kill line pass through conduits
US20220049567A1 (en) * 2020-08-17 2022-02-17 Nexus Energy Technologies Inc. Bop stump test apparatus
US11668155B2 (en) * 2020-08-17 2023-06-06 Nxl Technologies Inc. BOP stump test apparatus
CN116084877A (zh) * 2023-03-01 2023-05-09 中船黄埔文冲船舶有限公司 一种可升降重载支撑装置及防喷器组调整方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0159813A3 (en) 1986-03-05
CA1231641A (en) 1988-01-19
JPS60233289A (ja) 1985-11-19
FI851545A7 (fi) 1985-10-20
MX162002A (es) 1991-03-19
NO851551L (no) 1985-10-21
FI851545L (fi) 1985-10-20
EP0159813A2 (en) 1985-10-30
FI851545A0 (fi) 1985-04-18

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Owner name: CAMERON IRON WORKS, INC., HOUSTON, TX A TX CORP.

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Effective date: 19840417

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Effective date: 19940410

STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362